54 NO SUBSTITUTE EXISTS FOR QUALITY,
ONE-ON-ONE TIME WITH CHILDREN.
“I just don’t have enough time to spend quality time with my child,” bemoaned the parent.
Then find the time! Children need their parents around. We find time for everything else—work, rest, hobbies, talking on the phone, watching TV, entertainment, eating, etc.
We give our time to what’s important to us. Our priorities must be:
God first.
Family second.
Church and work next.
Then all the rest.
Jesus reminds us that there is no greater love than laying down one’s life for a friend. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13).
What are you dying for? The moment you are born, you start dying. Every minute that passes by, you have died to that parent of your life. Realistically, spending our time means dying for that person or thing we spend our time doing. For some parents, what they’re dying to is their jobs. But where will the boss or colleagues be when they are old and lonely?
When your life is in its twilight years, your true friends will still be around. True friends will be those you have invested your time in.
Will your children be your true friends in your old age?
Children need us. We need to be there for them when they play their sports, receive their awards, need help with their homework, and struggle with tough decisions in life. Children need us there when they worship, pray, and study God’s Word.
Are you there for your children? The only way to truly be there for your child is to spend one-on-one time with your child. The average father or mother spends fewer than 15 minutes a day with a child. Some parents spend more time walking a dog, putting on makeup, or getting dressed than talking with and sharing with children. What about you? How much time daily will you give to your child?
I covenant with God and my child to average at least _________ a day together.
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. (John 15:13) Action Steps I/We Need to Take